Jesus Style Leadership 4 - Sent & TeamНамуна

Team Makes Sense

Leadership Lesson

Team makes sense.

Read Ecclesiastes 4:7–12.

Comment

We’ve seen that the concept of team comes from the very nature of God. Because God works in team, so do we. But the wisdom writer of Ecclesiastes takes a different approach. He looks at life “under the sun.” The expression “under the sun” means without taking God into account. He comes to the conclusion that if there were no God, no purpose, and no future hope, aloneness would still be a terrible frustration and curse. In other words, he is arguing that anyone can see that there are huge benefits in doing things together. You work better. You can help each other with problems. You support each other. You can pass on your blessings. You can defend yourself better. You can even keep each other warm (a big issue in cold Israelite winters without heaters). Even if there was no revelation from God, it’s obvious that “two are better than one” (4:9). He’s right, of course. We don’t need God to tell us that we are built to work together in relationships. The concept of team is part of the fabric of God’s world. Of course, there are some things that we have to do alone, but the more we work with others in team, the more healthy, supported, and effective we will be.

Prayer

Thanks for the people You have put around me as I serve you. Thanks for my mentors, my friends, and my teammates. I am so glad that I don’t have to serve you alone. Please help me build strong relationships that will last. May I be a good friend and team member. May those close to me know that I have their backs.

Personal Reflection

A helpful question that I often ask myself as a leader is, “What am I doing alone that I could be doing with someone else?” Ask yourself that question.